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American consumers shop for groceries an average of X.X times per week, according to AlixPartners. Women shop more frequently than men; XX% shop once a week or more, compared to XX% of men. Women are more receptive than men are to in-store sampling--XX% of women and XX% of men say free samples and in-store coupons sometimes or always convince them to buy new products.

Six in XX women (XX%) always or almost always use a shopping list (compared with XX% of men), and XX% of women always or almost always use coupons when creating their lists (compared with XX% of men).

The majority of shoppers expect to spend as much or more on groceries in 2011 as they did in 2010. Among those who expect to be spending less, XX% say it's because their current personal financial situation makes it necessary to cut back, and XX% say it's because their other household expenses have gone up.

A similar proportion (XX%) are cutting back because they're concerned about their economic future, and XX% say their household income has been reduced. [RETAIL/SERVICE SECTOR, CONSUMER SPENDING & ATTITUDES, FOOD/BEVERAGES]